HP is apparently set to introduce its latest smartphone based on Palm’s WebOS at a May 2 event, several news outlets including PreCentral are reporting. The diminutive (but certainly not small on features) device is only 55mm (2.2″) wide and 84mm (3.3″) tall, and they’ve somehow figured out how to squeeze a slide out QWERTY keyboard in this thing.

The Veer kind of reminds me of the Nokia 8200 series phones from the early part of last decade that were available through the old AT&T Wireless: HP’s Veer is actually very similar in size. Lets just hope HP’s small phone doesn’t nearly burn people’s ears off like the 8200 was known to do.

As I said above, the feature set is impressive. The Veer is HSPA+ capable, and includes both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. An 800MHz processor powers the device along with 512MB of RAM, and 8GB of storage is included. If you happen to want to take pictures, the five megapixel camera should do you just fine.

Who’s getting it? Likely AT&T, although no formal announcement has been made. At least from reports I’m seeing the necessary T-Mobile 3G bands are not included. That’s not to say a special version may be released for the carrier some time down the road.

PreCentral reports that attendees of the event were asked to bring “ID badges and AT&T/Best Buy business cards,” so you can see who the launch partner is too. I must ask, who’s interested in checking this thing out? I know I sure am — I’m beginning to wonder how small is too small…